WELCOME
Hosted by the Maryland Department of Commerce, Maryland Economic Development Corporation, and the Federal Business Council, Inc., the Maryland Defense Forum is set to host discussions on building military: resilience and readiness; critical Department of Defense (DoD) technologies; supply chain diversification; government contracting challenges; and more.
The 2025 Maryland Defense Forum will be a unique opportunity for leaders from installations, defense communities and defense-related industries across the Old-Line State. It will be a unique opportunity for military community representatives
to meet with their on-base counterparts and state and federal officials to focus on resiliency, mutual support and coordination on key issues and mission assurance.
Maryland’s military installations have an annual economic impact of more than $60 billion and support roughly 400,000 Maryland jobs. As a top economic driver for the state, these installations drive innovation and create boundless opportunities for Maryland businesses.
ABOUT THE EVENT
This event will bring together military leadership, defense communities, and industry representatives for two days of collaboration.
This opportunity will give military communities a chance to meet with key DoD representatives and work together to address
issues surrounding the economic vitality of Maryland’s military installations. The Maryland Defense Forum is targeted to a variety of individuals,
including members of the defense industry and federal contractors; DoD leadership; academia; community leaders supporting installation missions; service members,
military families, and veterans; and federal, state, and local government workers.
Why should you attend?
- The Maryland Defense Forum (MDF) is designed for leaders and stakeholders invested in strengthening Maryland’s military installations, defense communities, and the industries that support them. This is our second iteration of the MDF, after a successful inaugural event in 2023.
- Attendees include senior military leadership, installation commanders, and community liaisons who work directly with Maryland’s bases. It is also an essential event for policymakers, economic developers, and local government officials seeking to understand and support defense-related priorities.
- Businesses—both large and small—will benefit from discussions on federal contracting opportunities and emerging defense technologies. Additionally, professionals in technology and research and development (R&D) will gain valuable insights into collaboration opportunities with military labs, state-supported innovation programs, and industry trends.
- Whether you are focused on infrastructure, workforce development, community resilience, or defense procurement, MDF provides a vital platform to engage, collaborate, and drive solutions for Maryland’s defense ecosystem.